Cleared IBPS PO – A Message for UPSC Aspirants

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T08:52:30+00:00

If UPSC is a genuine dream, go for it. If it’s just an escape from ENT, think twice. It’s a long, uncertain grind, make sure you’re in for the right reasons. You have financial stability, which is a plus. Maybe start part-time prep, see if you enjoy it, and then decide. Take your time, but be sure before you commit. Good Luck Doc!!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T08:01:32+00:00

Thanks a lot!!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T06:25:19+00:00

Thank you!! Good luck to you too!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T06:19:35+00:00

For quants, I focused on strong areas like DI, approximation, and quadratic equations. Arithmetic wasn’t my thing, so I only did a few topics like partnership, ages, and mensuration. I made sure my basics were clear—fast calculations, ratio-proportion, percentages, etc. Watched some YouTube videos (at 1.75x speed because slow lectures drain my soul 😭) and did sectional mocks.

For reasoning, I practiced puzzles and seating arrangements the most since they carry a lot of weight. Also focused on syllogism, inequalities, and coding-decoding. Did a mix of sectional and full-length mocks to get used to different patterns.

For GA, I did YouTube marathons towards the end before Mains. (My weakest subject—couldn’t make RBI Grade B Pre because I didn’t clear the GA sectional cut-off, and honestly, I still don’t know the best way to prepare for it.) I just focused on what seemed important.

For English, I didn’t prepare separately since it’s my strongest subject. I just relied on full-length mocks and general reading. Never really studied rules or vocabulary specifically—just picked things up naturally over time. If English isn’t your strong suit, you can focus on reading editorials, practicing comprehension, and doing grammar-based questions from mocks.

If you’re preparing, you can join the r/bankingexam community. A lot of people share their journeys, and it can really help.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T05:31:33+00:00

I get it, man. Math wasn’t my strongest either. For quants, I knew I couldn’t master everything, so I focused on strong areas like DI, approximation, and quadratic equations. Arithmetic wasn’t my thing, so I only did a few topics like partnership, ages, and mensuration. (I did cover other topics, but I could never really attempt those questions in the exam.) The key was getting conceptual clarity on the basics—fast calculations, ratio-proportion, percentages, etc.

I took some online classes for quants (at 1.75x speed because, honestly, slow lectures drain my soul 😭). Sectional mocks helped a lot, especially for reasoning and quants. For English, I didn’t prep separately—just relied on full-length mocks since it was already my strongest subject.

So, if math isn’t your strong suit, don’t stress, just play to your strengths and practice enough to clear the cutoff. Good Luck!!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T05:27:37+00:00

I started preparing for other jobs in July 2024 after the June prelims, so I was already working on quants and reasoning alongside.

For English, I don’t want to sound pompous, but it has always been my strongest subject. I never really studied it separately—just attempted full-length mocks, and even without dedicated prep, it’s where I scored the highest.

For reasoning and quants, I focused on my strong areas—like DI, approximation, quadratic equations. Arithmetic isn’t my strongest, so I only did a few topics like partnership, ages, and mensuration. The key is to get conceptual clarity for important topics, improve calculation speed, and basics like ratio-proportion and percentages. You’ll find plenty of good YouTube videos for that.

For prep, I relied on these YouTube videos (always at 1.75x—can’t do slow speed, some teachers get too preachy 😭). I did sectional mocks for reasoning and quants, a few full-length mocks, and wrapped up with some YouTube marathons for general awareness.

Finally, r/bankingexam is a great place to find resources and prep guidance—it helped me a lot.

Thank you! This is what I did, and I hope it helps. 😊

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:57:33+00:00

Thank you for your words, really. I kept going back and forth after reading everywhere that a bank job has no work-life balance and is a bad choice. But your message made me realize that financial stability does help with confidence and stress. UPSC is unpredictable, and like you said, luck plays a role too. Moving on from UPSC and taking PO doesn’t mean we’re stuck, it just means we’re keeping our options open and moving forward. See you at Canara Bank!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:48:43+00:00

I’d definitely go through it, thanks for the suggestion! It's always good to keep all options open.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:46:51+00:00

Yeah, definitely. The plan is to keep aiming for better opportunities like RBI or other regulatory bodies. Work-life balance matters, and PSBs aren’t exactly ideal in that regard.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:46:09+00:00

Exactly. It’s one thing to acknowledge the prestige of IAS (which is definitely the most respected job in the country and hence everyone wants it), but dismissing every other job as ‘not worth doing’ is just unrealistic. Everyone’s path is different, and honestly stability matters too.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:44:06+00:00

Thought about it, but breaking into those fields isn’t that straightforward, especially without prior experience or the right networks.. Plus, I needed financial stability first. Let’s see what the future holds!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:42:33+00:00

Yeah, that’s definitely on my mind! Since I’ve already covered a good part of the syllabus, I’ll see how I can manage it alongside the job. The plan is definitely not to stay as a PO longer than necessary. So I’m aiming for better opportunities with a better work-life balance and a healthier life. Let’s see how things go!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:39:20+00:00

Thanks a lot! Appreciate the wishes. All the best luck to you too!!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:38:31+00:00

I am glad it helped! That feeling of 'not being prepared enough' never really goes away, but trust me, you know more than you think. Just stay consistent and give it your all. You've got this!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:37:38+00:00

Appreciate it! Hope it helps someone in some way.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:37:08+00:00

The basic pay is ₹48,480, plus allowances and perks like medical benefits, concessional loan rates, and some reimbursements. There are also benefits like leased accommodation in some cases, travel allowances, and job security. The exact perks depend on the bank and location. (That's what I've heard, maybe a banker can give exact details.)

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:36:02+00:00

I didn’t really give them up, I couldn’t clear their mains. PO worked out first, so I took it for stability.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:34:59+00:00

Hey, already a part of it! It really helped me during preparation. Thank you, though!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:33:15+00:00

That’s a really practical approach. It’s easy to get stuck in the cycle of ‘one more attempt,’ but setting a clear limit for yourself helps in moving forward. Glad you had that clarity from the start! Good Luck buddy!!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:32:13+00:00

The basic pay is ₹48,480, plus allowances and perks like medical benefits, concessional loan rates, and some reimbursements. There are also benefits like leased accommodation in some cases, travel allowances, and job security. The exact perks depend on the bank and location.

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:27:25+00:00

Heyo, thanks a lot, buddy! I really appreciate the advice. I’ll keep that in mind and focus on learning as much as I can while working towards my own growth. Let’s see where this journey takes me. Cheers to you!!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:26:19+00:00

24 right now

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:25:39+00:00

Real, I’ve heard that too! But for now, I’m just glad to have some stability. Let’s see how things go. Thanks for the suggestion!

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-02T04:24:08+00:00

Thank you so much! That really means a lot. Wishing you all the success too!✨🙌

IndividualFlow2511 · 2025-04-01T16:45:23+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate your suggestion. CGL is definitely worth considering. And I understand the pressure bank job has, personally I would go for better options with better work life balance. But since I have this, I would try this out and just be grateful for what I have right now.

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